Eastern Conference Roundup: April 22

The Crew's loss to Chicago dropped the Black & Gold to sixth-place in the MLS Eastern Conference, while Sporting Kansas City's midweek win in New York propelled Graham Zusi and company into first-place.

Here is how the Eastern Conference looks heading into Week Nine of play in 2013.

Aurélien Collin's set piece goal was enough to lift Sporting to first-place with a midweek win at New York, but after a cross-country flight to LA and a match two days later, the defending champion Galaxy proved to be to much for Kansas City on Saturday. Sporting hosts Portland Timbers FC on Saturday.

2. Houston Dynamo - 13 pts. - Week Eight: 1-1 Draw at Toronto FC

Warren Creavalle's 94th-minute equalizer helped Dom Kinnear's side steal a road point in Toronto as it returns to BBVA Compass Stadium to host the Colorado Rapids this week looking to extend its record 35-match home-unbeaten streak.

3. Montreal Impact - 13 pts. - Week Eight: Idle

The Impact were able to relax without a game in Week Eight. The Quebec side returns to action this week, hosting the Chicago Fire.

The Red Bulls rebounded from a 1-0 midweek loss to Kansas City and exploded for four goals against the Revolution. Thierry Henry and the Red Bulls seem to be hitting a stride after a rough start to 2013 that saw the team go winless until March 30.

5. Philadelphia Union - 11 pts. - Week Eight: 3-2 Win at D.C. United

Jack McInerney is blossoming into one of the top strikers in MLS as he scored in his third straight match to help the Union over D.C. United. The 20-year-old was named MLS Player of the Week following his brace at D.C. United.

6. Columbus Crew - 9 pts. - Week Eight: 1-0 Loss at Chicago Fire

The Black & Gold looked flat in Chicago over the weekend, but were kept in the game thanks to a stellar performance in net by Andy Gruenebaum. The Crew should rebound with three straight home matches against D.C. United, the New York Red Bulls and the Colorado Rapids coming up.

7. Toronto FC - 7 pts. - Week Eight: 1-1 Draw vs. Houston Dynamo

The Reds played 93 minutes of good soccer before surrendering their one goal lead to the Dynamo to settle for a point. It was Toronto FC's fourth consecutive draw as it prepares to host the New York Red Bulls at BMO Field this week while juggling Canadian Championship (4/24 vs. Montreal) play.

8. Chicago Fire - 7 pts. - Week Eight: 1-0 Win vs. Columbus Crew

The Fire seem to be back on track after dominating the Crew in the second half of Saturday's match. The Men in Red will face a tough test this weekend as they cross the border to face the Montreal Impact.

A loss to the New York Red Bulls added to an already tough week for New England. The entire Crew organization sends its thoughts to Matt Reis and his family, as his father-in-law recovers from injuries sustained in the Boston Marathon bombings last week.